Documents
Enstone Parish Council > Documents > EPC Minutes > 2025 May Minutes

2025 May Minutes

EPC Minutes Uploaded on May 30, 2025
Download

D R A F T  M I N U T E S

ENSTONE PARISH COUNCIL

Held in Enstone Parish Hall on Thursday 22nd May 2025 at 7.15 pm following the Annual Council Meeting

PRESENT: PCs. N. Knott, J. Ferguson-Davie, C. Glendinning, N. Peart, A. Ward, CC Geoff Saul, DCs Andrew Beaney & Alex Wilson and two members of the public.

APOLOGIES:  PCs. P. Shaw, C. Millar, D. Robottom & H. Bourne-Taylor

IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs. Beth Sinclair, Clerk

46. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND MEMBERS’ REGISTER OF INTERESTS:

  • PC. N. Peart declared an interest in item 10, Planning Applications (The Old Garage)

47. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

  • The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday, 24th April 2025 were circulated, adopted and signed by Cllr. Knott.  In addition, the corrected minutes from March 2025 were signed by Cllr. Knott.

49. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: –

  • None

50. MATTERS ARISING:-

  • S106 monies for sports & recreation – Cllr. A. Ward, a member of the sports club, the clerk and the leisure projects officer from WODC held an online meeting to discuss the way forward in relation to the S106 monies for the sports club.  It was ascertained that the Football Association can offer a grant for up to 75 % of the costs of the equipment needed by the sports club, and the remaining 25 % can be obtained via the S106 monies.  Enstone PC unanimously agreed to this.  Three quotes will be obtained by the sports club for a 40-foot-long storage container and tractor.  The clerk had circulated details of the claim form for S106 monies to the Enstone Playing Fields Association and Parish Hall Management Committee.  The S106 Department at WODC has the final say on requests.  With regards to the possible funding of pavement, it was agreed that this was not a priority use of funding and that people can use the stile between the Parish Hall and the Sports Club.
  • The Marshall Fountain – Cllr. Ferguson-Davie explained that he had met with an architect and an expert at the site of the fountain, and there is a need to excavate more of a hole to discover what is under the chamber and whether this could be restored.  Ongoing
  • Dog/litter bin at Church Enstone – Ongoing
  • PC vacancy – Two members of the public have shown an interest in becoming a Parish Councillor.  Ongoing
  • Lidstone – road flooding – Cllr. Knott explained that the OCC considers this work not to be on the high-priority list.  MP Sean Woodcock had heard from the Environment Agency, who were unable to help, and he is contacting another Agency.  Enforcement letters to the landowners to do the work are required, but there is no manpower at OCC to be able to do this.  Cllr. Knott has contacted a Trustee who owns part of the land, requesting that the work be carried out.   Ongoing
  • Biodiversity Plan 2025 – Cllr. Bourne-Taylor will present an action plan for 2025 to the Parish Council in relation to biodiversity at June’s meeting.
  • Annual Parish Meeting – Enstone Playing Fields Association – Following the APM, the EPFA has clarified that it is not responsible for the maintenance of the school car park and has sent abstracts of the Lease to the Parish Council.   The EPFA is unable to fund the work required as a result of the drainage report.  Discussion took place in relation to the £1,800.00 that the PC had paid towards the drainage report, as the EPFA had offered to refund the Parish Council. Following the discussion, it was resolved that the EPFA does not refund the monies with a majority vote of 3:2.  The clerk will contact the EPFA.   

51. ITEMS TO REPORT:

a) Cllr. Knott reported that she had collected a few bags of litter from the Lidstone Road – the correspondence in the bin bags identified that the fly tipping was from Birmingham.   This has been reported to WODC, although nothing can be done as it is out of the area.

b) Cllr. Ward reported that a local resident has nearly completed the OCC’s Super User Training and will be able to carry out work e.g. reporting Fix-My-Street issues, etc.  The clerk will send congratulations on behalf of the Council.

c) Cllr. Glendinning queried several highway issues that all need reporting onto Fix-My-Street – these included the faded white lines at junctions; the signpost at the junction of Coxs Lane that had been hit by a lorry and needs rectifying, and parts of the pavement along the A44 near to Worths Garage had broken up.

d) Cllr. Glendinning reported that the new noticeboard had sustained several cracks and had been reported to the company, which installed the noticeboard.  It was commented that this could have been an act of vandalism.  Noted

e) Cllr. Knott reported that PCSO Helen Duffield had apologised for not being able to attend the Annual Parish Meeting last week due to an RTA at the A44/B4030 junction at Enstone.

f) The Yellow Notice sign regarding The Quarry has now been displayed by WODC at the Quarry site.

g) Cllr. Knott wished everyone to recognise the incredible work that PC Bourne-Taylor is currently undertaking with regards to a proposed Bill at Parliament for new houses to include swift bricks and her new book on the plight of swifts.

52. County Councillor’s Report:-

  • CC Geoff Saul explained that following the recent elections, there is now a majority administration at OCC (Liberal Democrats).
  • There will be an annual budget of £2.6 million to clean the County’s road signs and gulleys.  In addition, £145,000.00 has been earmarked to clear drains by March 2026.
  • The County Council’s priorities include a cleaner, fairer and healthier place to live and to fix flooding issues, repair potholes and use sustainable public transport.  Work will also include improving the lives of residents with Special Educational Needs.
  • Cllr. Knott queried why the recent “Road Closed” signage around the Parish had been so unclear and had caused such confusion.  Cllr. Knott considered that repairs to potholes were more important than the top dressing of main roads – Cllr. Saul replied, saying that the County Council’s priority was top dressing the main roads.

53. District Councillor’s report:-

  • DC Beaney explained that the District Council’s draft Local Plan will be published soon.
  • Discussion took place on how the Local Plan can be incorporated into the Parish Council’s Housing Needs Survey and Neighbourhood Plan.   

54. CORRESPONDENCE:-

  • To discuss the Housing Needs Survey in conjunction with Community First Oxfordshire – Following the Annual Parish Meeting, an example questionnaire for residents had been circulated to all members.   It was resolved that Cllrs. Ward, Ferguson-Davie, Peart, DC Beaney and the clerk will form a working party and liaise with CFO with a draft questionnaire for Enstone.
    • To discuss a funding request to celebrate Enstone Primary School’s 150th Anniversary – After discussion, it was unanimously resolved to donate £250.00 towards a souvenir for the children to celebrate this special occasion.
  • Resume of meeting reference “Land North of Enstone Airfield – a new rural village settlement” – Cllrs. Knott, Ward and Ferguson-Davie attended this meeting, held at Hook Norton, organised by The John Phillips Planning Consultancy and Charlie Luxton Designs.  Eleven local Parish Councils had also been invited as well as Councillors from WODC and MP Sean Woodcock.  A site measuring circa 60 acres has been identified to provide sustainable homes, employment and other services.  The JPCC had queried whether the Parish Councils could combine to produce a joint Housing Needs Survey & Neighbourhood Plan, but DC Beaney explained that this cannot be done due to the financial complexities involved with funding. The contaminated soil, which was meant for the building of the bunds at the shooting school, would need to be moved, which would involve 88,000 lorry movements.
  • To discuss the caravan located on the corner of the Bicester Road/Little Tew Road. It was resolved that Cllr. Knott will forward a map and photograph of where the caravan is situated to the enforcement team at WODC, who will investigate whether any breach has occurred.
  • To discuss a 150-year-old cedar tree at Church Enstone and a six-month Temporary Tree Preservation Order – The Parish Council had been alerted by several members of the public that a 150-year-old cedar tree might be felled in a resident’s garden.  A six-month Temporary TPO has been applied by WODC.  DC Beaney will update the Council on the decision made in due course.
  • To discuss funding request from Enstone School towards biodiversity – After discussion, it was resolved to donate a financial contribution towards plants and a hedgehog and a bee/bug house.
  • Invitation by Senior Director of DevComms regarding Enstone Business Park: Regeneration Proposals – An invitation to a private meeting with just the Parish Council had been circulated before a public consultation at the Parish Hall in mid-June.  After the discussion, it was resolved not to accept this invitation, but for members to attend the public consultation at the Parish Hall.

55. Planning Applications:-

  • 12 Litchfield Close, Enstone, Chipping Norton, 25/00994/HHD – Erection of replacement single storey rear extension  – No objection
  • Whiteways Technical Centre, Enstone, Chipping Norton, 25/00967/ADV Erection of internally illuminated totem signage – No objection but request that the illuminated signage be switched off at 9.00 pm.
  • Lidstone House, Lidstone, 25/0098/S73 – Variation of condition 2 of PP 22/03003/HHD to reflect changes implemented during the construction of the building including the new pool changing room, WC/shower and new attic store over the workshop/bike store/plant room for storage and non-habitable use only (retrospective) – No objection but disappointed that it is a retrospective application.
  • Oathill Lodge, Oathill Farm, Enstone, OX7 4ED, OCC R3.0032/25 – Non Material Amendment to permission R3.0022/24 to reflect the discovery of Great Crested Newts – Noted

Decisions Received:-

  • Church Cottage, Church Enstone, OX7 4NN – Erection of stone walling along the front elevation of the main house to replace the railway sleepers currently edging the flowerbeds.  Approved
  • The Old Garage,, Springfield, Bicester Road, Enstone, 25/00124/S73 – Variation of conditions 2 & 10 of PP 21/00871/FUL to allow for non-material amendments to the approved plans.  Approved (PC objected to this application) – After discussion, it was agreed that DC Andrew Beaney will speak to the Officer at WODC concerning the confusion over this application which related to additional matters which were not part of the delegated decision (hot tub, concrete pad and bifold doors) made on 17th February 2025.  The PC will also consider contacting the Ombudsman, dependent on the response from the Planning Officer.

11. Finance:-

a) To agree on the following accounts for payment:-

  • Clerk’s salary £1051.81(less tax and NI)
  • NEST Pension Scheme (er) £31.55
  • NEST Pension Scheme (ee) £42.07
  • Vodaphone £19.72
  • Stationery £13.60
  • Sean Morris’ disposal of noticeboard £100.00
  • Bumble Bee Border, Parish Hall £43.00
  • Thomas Fox                           £1,038.73
  • Hiscox Insurance Company Ltd £662.78
  • Scribe, financial software £42.00
  • Enstone Parish Hall, rent £108.00
  • Astral Accountancy, Internal Audit £384.00

Received:-

  • Bank Interest £389.16
  • WODC, 1st Precept £22,273.00

b) To note Internal Audit Report from Astral Accountancy concerning the AGAR 2024/2025 – “No issues to report” – The clerk was thanked for all her work on this.

12. Dates of Next Meetings:-

  • Thursday 26th June
  • Thursday 17th July
  • Thursday 21st August

The meeting finished at 8.45 pm and Cllr. Knott thanked everyone for attending